A recent report suggests the Baton Rouge metropolitan
area could see its gross metropolitan product grow this year.

IHS Global Insight's recent report, released Jan. 22 by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, forecasts
Baton Rouge's gross metropolitan product to increase by 2.3 percent in 2013,
compared with the 1.5 percent growth it attained last year.

In 2013, Baton Rouge ranked 133rd out
of 363 metro areas in the country for best growth. The prior year, Baton
Rouge's GMP rose by 2.9 percent, but decreased by 1.7 percent in 2011.

The report also includes employment projections
for 2014. Baton Rouge is forecast to see a 5.8 unemployment rate this year.
Last year, Baton Rouge ranked 120th for having 1.5 percent
employment growth.

Also in 2012, the city was among 130 of the 363
metro areas in the United States that have already seen employment levels
return to higher averages since the start of the recession.